Tis the season to be jolly. Head on over to the UK for some good times and fabulous holiday fun with these great holiday packages! When booking your stay be sure to mention the package name.

Where: The St. James’s Hotel and Club in London

Package: Celebrate Christmas and New Year!

What they are offering:

This luxury five star central London townhouse hotel is serving up some holiday cheer during December 20th to January 4th 2010. This package includes a two nights stay for two in a deluxe room complete with a kind size bed and private balcony, a delicious English breakfast for two each morning, a festive Champagne Afternoon Tea for two along with Fortnum and Mason biscuits.

And if you want to stay in London a little longer, don’t worry the St. James’s hotel and club will make sure you will get the best available rate for each additional night you book.

Where: Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire

Package: Ultimate Detox & Revive Break

What they are offering:

Stoke Park, known as one of England’s best golf hotels, is going to help you keep your New Year’s resolution for 2010 with the perfect way to enliven yourself and detoxify your body. From delicious healthy food, fitness classes and personal training amidst its luxury accommodation on 350 acres of beautiful gardens, this is just what the doctor ordered.

This two day retreat consists of three nights accommodation in a Mansion or Pavilion Bedroom, a light breakfast each morning, lunch and dinner each day, use of their Health and Racquet Pavilion including an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium, steam room and dance and fitness studios, a SPC detoxifying ginger scrub, SPC Algae Detox wrap, a reflexology treatment, two fitness classes and a personal training session to get you back in shape.

Where: The Balmoral in Edinburgh

Package: The Balmoral Christmas Family Package

What they are offering:

Come and explore this luxury hotel right in the heart of Edinburgh. During December 21 -27 parents who book on guest room with a minimum of three nights will receive a complimentary adjoining room for children, each morning wake up to a Scottish breakfast for two adults and two children, complementary food for children under three, a 50% discount on food for children under twelve, fabulous junior amenities and complementary use of the Balmoral Health Club for the entire family. And for those families staying over December 23 and 24th children can participate in their Christmas culinary party complete with biscuits and cookie decorating!

From cheaper flights and hotels to discount shopping and dining, travelling to New York after the holidays is a perfect way to see the city for a fraction of the regular price. It may be windy and cold in January, but the culture and excitement of New York City is always hot!



Ice Skating in New York City



When you think about lacing up your skates and gliding around a New York City skating rink, the iconic image comes to mind of skaters circling the rink at Rockefeller Center. But if you are curious to try something different and explore other New York City skating rinks, check out the Pond at Bryant Park. As the only free outdoor skating rink in New York, the Pond is a popular winter destination nestled in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Skate rentals and lockers are available.



Other outdoor venues for ice skating in New York City are located in picturesque Central Park at the Wollman Rink (east side between 62nd and 63rd Streets) and the Lasker Rink (between 106th and 108th Streets.)



NYC Restaurant Week



Curious about Cafe Boulud, Mesa Grill or Gramercy Tavern? NYC Restaurant Week is the best way to eat at some of the most renowned restaurants in New York City – without breaking the bank. This week of delicious dining on a dime takes place twice a year and visitors travelling to New York City in January should plan to take advantage of this wildly popular event. Participating restaurants offer a set menu for lunch and dinner at a fixed priced, typically offering customers two or three choices for each course. This event allows foodies a chance to try out some of the most talked about eateries in the city, including many helmed by celebrity chefs, at far less expensive prices.



Reserving a Table During NYC Restaurant Week



For information on participating NYC Restaurant Week eateries, their special Restaurant Week menus and dates of the event, visit www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek. Call your dining destination of choice well in advance to reserve as tables book up very quickly. Reservations can also be made for several of the restaurants at Open Table, which is a free site where diners can book their reservations online. With each reservation made, points are accrued towards gift certificates at participating eateries.



Martin Luther King Jr. Day in New York City



Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a U.S. holiday commemorating the great civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968. Each year the holiday falls on the third Monday of January, close to his birth date of January 15th. There are numerous celebrations, events and tributes organized throughout the five boroughs of New York City on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.



The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service



Every January, thousands of community service projects take place across the U.S. in honour of Dr. King’s teachings on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. The slogan of this national day of community service is “Make it a day ON, not a day OFF” and the goal is to empower individuals to work together to strengthen their communities.



There is plenty to see and do in New York City in January, so bundle up and enjoy!